Effect of dryness on antioxidant enzyme activities in Gastropod <i>Pomacea canaliculata</i> from Shatt Al-Arab River, Basrah, Iraq

It is well known that humidity affects the fertility and reproductive activity of gastropods, inducing an imbalance in oxidative stress that can lead to cell damage and restricted normal activities. The present study investigated the effects of dryness on antioxidant enzymes as a marker in the Gastropod Pomacea canaliculata collected from the Shatt Al-Arab River. The experiment was conducted in three successive sets, in addition to the control (Set I). Set II, animal kept for 6 days in constant high humidity (HH). Set III, animal kept for 3 days in low humidity, followed by 3 days in high humidity (DH), Set IV, animal kept for 6 days in low humidity (DD). After 6 days, the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the digestive gland were assessed. Moreover, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactants (TBARS) was also assessed as an indicator of oxidative damage. The results showed that the activity of SOD, CAT, and GST did not change throughout the period (HH). While in the periods of DH and DD, the activity of the three antioxidant enzymes increased. And the highest increasing of SOD (31 U/mg), CAT (383 U/mg) and GST (1812 mU/mg) showed in the period of DD. The same harmonic increase in oxidative damage was also observed during the periods of DH and DD, with the highest TBARS level (24 nmol/g) found at DD. In conclusion, the dryness induced oxidative stress in the digestive gland of Pomacea canaliculata. This study is the first to investigate the effect of dryness on this snail from the Shatt Al-Arab River.